Tand Invitational 2022 presented by Handpicked – HIGHLIGHTS & RESULTS

2022, the return of the OG’s.

With the event “on” call being made 2 days earlier, as the sun rose on the morning of August 4th, all involved were not quite ready for what lay ahead… a pushing tide and 8ft waves washing over the rock set the stage for pure world class high performance bodyboarding. The call to run the 2022 Tand event was 100% on the mark and conditions were perfect.

Highlights

The Tand Invitational 2022 presented by Handpicked is one of only two IBC Speciality Events with the other being the Pride Annaëlle Challenge being run in Brittany, France.

2022 list of invitees featured many of the gatekeepers and founders of the infamous slab, known as Tand. The word “tand” is an Afrikaans word which translates to “tooth” in english. The name alone ensures this wave demands respect from all who dare take it on. Local riders, Attie Van Heerden, Andy van Zyl and Rupert la Grange held their own in the opening rounds but it was only Attie who managed to get into the semi-finals.

Hankus Loubscher got “Barrel of the day” with a massive 9 point ride on a wave that saw the crowd on their feet, hooting and screaming as he dropped down the face of a steep monster! He got himself a R3000 BoardHub gift voucher for his efforts.

Semi final number two was an all out slugfest as the riders in the heat posted six of the eight highest scores in the heat. This heat will be remembered as one of the best ever in the history of the Tand Invitational. Sascha Specker and Aden Kleve advanced into the finals to join Jared Houston and Mathew Lombard.

The stage was set for a text book final. Tide was absolutely perfect, the swell direction holding steady and the slab consistently being bombarded by 8ft set waves.

It was a tight between Jared Houston and 2018 event winner, Mathew Lombard. Jared Houston was looking cool and calm under the pressure but a late charge from Aden Kleve and Sacha Specker forced him to take more risks and boosting some text book Jared Houston style moves. The 2x World Champion showed incredible big match temperament which saw him take the win, adding a 3rd Tand Invitational Title to his long list of event wins throughout his coveted bodyboarding career.